Econ talk is a weekly economics podcast hosted by russ roberts at stanford universities. Today's guest is economist edward glazer, who has done extensive research on cities and many other topics. The topic for to day is an essay he wrote last year on the war on work,. An analysis of public policy interventions in the labor market.
Why are fewer men working over the last few decades? Is a universal basic income a good policy for coping with the loss of employment? Economist Edward Glaeser of Harvard University talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about what Glaeser calls the war on work--the policy changes that have reduced employment among prime-aged men. Glaeser does not see the universal basic income as a viable solution to the decrease in work especially if technology ends up reducing employment opportunities more dramatically in the future. The conversation also includes a discussion of the role of cities and the reduction in geographic mobility in the United States.